DORSET Council says its Local Plan is being scrutinised to make sure 'the project keeps to its objectives'.

Scrutiny is coming from the executive advisory panel (EAP), a group of councillors supported by officers.

The plan will effectively set out preferred future development within the council's boundaries for a 17-year period.

The first consultation on the project took place earlier this year and received more than 60,000 comments.

Cllr David Walsh, Dorset Council portfolio holder for planning, said: “There has been a lot of criticism about our Local Plan, but we are making a robust plan for the future of Dorset.

"It will protect us from unplanned ‘pepper pot’ developments and make sure that the developments are planned with the infrastructure that our residents deserve.

“We are looking at every comment that has been made and looking at whether we can accommodate them within the plan, while still providing an environment for Dorset’s economy to grow to it’s potential.”

The council says it aims to publish the comments on the consultation in July.

A version of the plan should be submitted to the Secretary of State for examination next year.